The fall weather has driven many students to spend more time outdoors. The grassy areas outside of Fox Labs, the Court of North Carolina and in front of Lee are popular on-campus places to take a homework break and throw a Frisbee around, but are also potential study areas.
Sure, there’s the occasional student who finds solace in sitting in the itchy grass while writing a paper, but the rest of us have limited seating options in these areas.
Yes, there are benches. But a bench is not really conducive for studying, especially since all of the ones on campus seem to have conveniently relocated to the 25-feet radius for smokers loitering before class.
What we need is to make use of these blank stretches of grass and give students areas to sit and do homework between classes. Anything would be better than the cesspool of germs that is D.H. Hill Library, but the only outdoor options students really have are the tables around high-traffic areas at Talley and the Atrium that tend to be too noisy to concentrate or do anything productive.
Robin Moore, a professor of landscape architecture, has strong research interests involving the natural outdoors. While his research primarily focuses on bringing nature into children’s play areas, he believes similar concepts could be developed for college learning and study areas.
Moore said he would like to see more “outdoor classrooms” like the small, tiered seating area with instructor podium on the Tompkins side of the Court of North Carolina. He also agreed that the addition of more picnic shelter-type structures like the one outside Syme would allow students to spend more time outdoors without neglecting their schoolwork.
Maintaining contact with nature and the outdoors is important for human development, as explained in Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder.” Moore is quoted several times in the book, saying “a rigid, bland environment will limit healthy growth and development.” While this is especially important during our childhood, even adults see a marked improvement in creativity and concentration when exposed to nature.
Although we are in the heart of Raleigh, we do not have to limit ourselves to a rigid, bland environment. Nearby are natural areas that welcome visitors at Pullen Park and the Rose Garden — why can’t we have something similar?
Perhaps a group of cross-discipline students such as those in landscape architecture, wood products and engineering could find a way to implement these outdoor study areas as part of a senior design project.
Perhaps companies can donate materials and in return for their gracious efforts and receive some sort of recognition for their generous gift of giving students a decent place to sit, study and enjoy the great outdoors.
It comes down to the money factor and maintaining a good “image” for the University. Apparently the alumni enjoy useless, perfectly manicured lawns, but as students, I think I can speak for all of us and say I’m tired of being limited to the bricks.
E-mail Jessie your ideas for improving outdoor areas on campus to [email protected].
